Fishtown Community Building Through Music
A few years ago, we moved our music lessons business out of our basement and into a beautiful space down the street in Fishtown. Feeling inspired by my own upbringing next to a fine arts and music institute for kids and adults, I decided to start teaching music classes to the smallest of our neighbors! I wanted to bring the experience of walking past an open window to the sounds of clarinets, opera singing, piano practice, and plays into my Fishtown community. Cracking open the windows on a warm June day, the sounds our first music classes and lessons were heard in Fishtown in 2014.

Bringing high quality music was a focus of mine. I had been to some great music classes throughout the city in my nannying days, and I realized how deeply kids responded to the ones with genuinely good music and real instruments. With this in mind, I created a flexible routine that engages kids through props, promotes spontaneous interaction between teacher and child, and trains the ears to hear pitches using Solfege, familiar songs, and other music-based exercises. At the center of my classes are our carefully selected teachers, often performers in Philly and teachers with a talent for connecting with kids. They play their guitar (and sometimes ukulele!), while performing and guiding children through various kids songs, rhymes, and our unique “Hello” and “Goodbye” songs.

Each week, old standards and new children’s songs are presented. With a scarves, pinwheels, parachutes, puppets, shakers, various world instruments, a big piano, and more, we explore what it means to play music. Interactive pieces shift from the most basic of kind to more complex dances and movement games as youngsters progress through the months. Heavily based on individual groups, these classes are adaptable – a good fit for many different ages.

Parents, sit back and enjoy as you play with your baby through this guided 45 minutes of fun! You can read our march newsletter below. Stroller parking is available.

Let’s usher in the Spring with some music making at Philly Music Lessons! As usual, we’ll be meeting weekly for classes in Fishtown and in South Philly (4PM Fridays in Fishtown and 9AM Wednesdays in South Philly). Our multi-aged classes are designed for 0-3 year olds and make for an awesome part of a day with kids – moms, dads, nannies, and other caregivers are welcome. With singalongs, movement activities, tons of props and assorted musical instruments, we change it up as we keep a base line of familiar kid favorites!

March in Fishtown | $40Sign Up
Fridays @ 4PM:
March 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 30th*Please note: NO CLASS on the 23rd!

Address:
2111 East Susquehanna AvePhiladelphia, PA

March in South Philly | $40Sign Up
Wednesdays @ 9AM:
March 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th

Address:1548 S. 13th StreetPhiladelphia, PA

Class Basics:

$10/class with a monthly sign up – Includes one makeup for missed classes per month, which can be used as credit towards upcoming sign ups or any classes scheduled at either location

$12 drop-ins with advanced notice only – Email ahead of time to let us know when you’ll be coming (please check with us to see if there’s space!)

First timers FREE

Online invoicing for monthly sign ups and drop-ins – Can pay online or make in-person payments

Registration Now Open!

Play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and sing in a bandLearn the fundamentals of recording technology
Get performance experience in the studioWalk away with a professional quality recording of your child

Summer Rock Camp is held at the Philly Music Lessons studio in Fishtown, Philadelphia – Kids will learn to play faithful renditions of rock songs by such classic bands as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin, as well as the modern bands they inspired, including Black Keys, Foo Fighters, Jack White, and My Morning Jacket. They will also get to study the basics of recording technology, live tracking, and overdubbing, before participating in a camp-culminating recording session. This music-based camp introduces beginners with little or no previous training to the fundamentals of rock performance, including guitar power chords, bass riffs, backbeat-driven rhythms, and emotive vocals. Intermediate students with regular instrumental lessons will have the opportunity to work in separate groups to study rock music in greater depth, undertaking closer note-for-note transcriptions of guitar solos and bass lines, original tempos and percussion arrangements, and multiple-part vocal harmonies. In addition to daily instrumental warm-up exercises and sectionals, band rehearsals, recording workshops, and general music instruction, we will listen to audio recordings, watch documentary and concert film excerpts, and discuss the greater cultural and sociological impact of the bands and music that we study. We break for lunch everyday, followed by an outdoor activity or indoor arts and crafts time. This is a multi-instrumental camp. Participating students will be encouraged to play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, as well as sing. A CD of the camp-culminating recording session will be provided to students as an archival benchmark of their musical progress and success. Contact Us for Registration

Director:

Josh Olmstead began directing student rock band workshops in 2003, adding a classical guitar ensemble component to his workshops in 2012. He is a classically trained guitarist, whose repertoire includes Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic works. As a classical guitarist, he has performed for private functions at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, National Constitution Center, and the Samuel Powel House. Josh is also an accomplished songwriter and recording and performing artist. His original music was recently featured in an episode of Southwest Airline’s Dish Trip. Josh’s songs also receive regular airplay on independent radio stations. As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Josh has performed internationally in England, Scotland, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as in several U.S. cities. As a guitar instructor, Josh chooses specific coursework and style of guitar based on the interests and skill level of individual students. General study to include development of a wide range of skills, including accurate tuning, technique, scales, arpeggios, reading music notation, and/or tablature, sight reading, chords, songs and/or repertoire, vocal accompaniment, music theory, as well as general musicianship. Contact Us for Registration

Philly Music Lessons is a family owned and operated music school located in the heart of Fishtown, Philadelphia. We offer private lessons (all ages), baby and toddler classes (ages 0-3), big kids music classes (ages 4 -6) and group lessons for kids (guitar, violin and voice). We have a number of teachers with extensive experience working with children. We make sure to keep each lesson or class fun and entertaining, while providing the musical foundation necessary to learn at higher levels as your child grows. Students have the opportunity to perform in biannual recitals and shows throughout the year.

Big Kids Music Classes Ages 4-6

Covering the fundamentals of piano (keyboard instruments), ukulele (fretted string instruments), and drums (percussion instruments), our music class for kids, ages 4-6 is a creative, group approach to learning music. Children have the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of music for $15/class (45 minutes each). The fundamentals they learn will pave the way for studying a variety of instruments. Core musical concepts will be explored through experimentation and social learning.

With small class sizes, there is ample room for discussion, questions, and spontaneity. Experimentation and fun are key, and curiosity is embraced. Subjects covered include how instruments work, note reading, ear training (pitch), time, and rhythm. How sounds are made (with strings and mallets inside of the piano for example) and how pitch changes are observed through play. Art is also used to reinforce concepts, illustrating notes, finger numbers, patterns, and more. Instrument making will engage children, bringing the learning process into the home through the collection of natural materials for production.

Each child will also be able to take home their own kazoo. Kazoos help strengthen connections between the voice and ear (pitch). Learning to make noise by following patterns on piano or notes on paper is a practice they can take home week after week. Encouraging children to hum while working with their favorite songs is a great way to build ear skills! If you are interested in classes, but can’t commit to our regular schedule, you can drop in to classes for $20 with notice (contact us here).

Private Music Lessons

Starting at $25 for 1/2 hour
By Appointment, all ages.In-Home Lessons throughout Philly & The Main LineFishtown Studio Lessons
(610)451-7883
Schedule a Lesson

Starting with kids ages 4 and up, private music lessons are available for guitar, piano, ukulele, bass guitar, upright bass, drums, flute, voice, clarinet, violin, cello, saxophone, trumpet, banjo, and trombone. Lessons begin at $25 for a half hour in our Fishtown studio (view our rates for more information). Our teachers work with kids of all ages and skill levels, making sure to keep the lessons fun and exciting. Our goal is to inspire a life-long passion for music just as our first teachers did for us! For in-home lessons, our teachers travel throughout Philadelphia, the Main Line and Lower Merion. If students have an interest in taking lessons with friends or family members, we also offer joint music lessons! Please ask about our rate difference for joint lessons of at least 2 or more children.

Just a walk from anywhere in Fishtown, Kensington or Northern Liberties, these music classes are a unique way to meet and play with others in the community. Fishtown is just off the Girard or Aramingo exit from I-95, or a quick spin through the city for Philly families. Tots gather weekly for sing-alongs, movement and other musical activities specially made for babies and kids. Children will have the chance to learn songs together and explore a variety of kid’s instruments: jingle bells, the piano, shakers, and more. Little babies usually enjoy sitting in mom’s lap as they listen, observe, and learn. Toddlers tune in each week to familiar friends, songs, and beloved routines. Three year olds lead, participate, and add both spontaneity and creativity to classes. Providing energetic vocals and guitar, our teacher plays plenty of classic and new children’s songs (with rhymes, hand games, and playful lyrics). These are the kinds of classes that will kick off your day with good cheer! Weekday music takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 AM and Wednesdays at 11:30 AM. Weekend music times are indicated on our calendar (typically 2-3 Saturdays per month).

Classes are $10 each when you sign up for the month (with flexible make-up options on Saturdays and select weekdays). We also welcome occasional visitors (drop-ins) for $15/class! If you want try out a class before signing up, you can always contact us to attend your first class for free.

Our teachers have created group classes for some of the most commonly learned instruments. Taught by our violin, guitar and voice teachers, classes focus on propelling complete beginners forward to a place where they can begin to play songs together. Students will learn their preferred instrument among peers, and can gain performance experience with recital opportunities. At $15 each, classes are organized into age groups and arranged based on availability and instrument. Classes can occur on weekday or weekend mornings, afternoons, or evenings (contact us to find out more). Our next launch of classes will be for the summer months, set to begin in June. Classes take place throughout the summer and can be extended into the Fall based on group interest. For students with irregular schedules, drop-ins can attend classes for $20 each.

Students will need to bring their own instrument. If students do not have a violin or guitar, Philly Music Lessons offers beginner violin rentals, and we can also make suggestions as to where you can rent or purchase a decent instrument.

Theory, Composition and More – Lessons with Annabelle Corrigan at Philly Music Lessons

We’re pleased to announce Annabelle Corrigan as the latest addition of teachers at Philly Music Lessons (piano lessons, voice lessons, and studies in music theory & composition). Annabelle lives in the ‘hood (Fishtown, that is), right down the street! She’s soon to join the ranks of Temple alumni (alongside many of our teachers), as she will be graduating in May from the Boyer College of Music with a degree in theory and composition. Annabelle also has her associates in piano performance and has studied voice as well. For students looking to learn piano or voice, or for those who want to explore music theory, Annabelle is a great guide – especially for those with an interest in songwriting or who want a deeper understanding of music (theory). Annabelle spends a lot of time composing, and her experience studying at a high level enables her to work with a wide variety of interests. Her own interests have taken her from opera, to classical, to jazz, film scores, and more. Schedule a Lesson

When did you begin playing [instrument], and why?:I’ve been singing since I was about 8. I began to play piano when I was a teenager, because many of my classmates were really good at piano or some other instrument, and it inspired me to be like them.

What are your personal goals as a musician?:I love opera, and my goal is to compose my own. I plan on working closely with the librettist, since I’m a poet as well.

Do you have a memory of a time when a musical concept or technique really clicked? Something you’ll remember forever?:I never knew what perfect pitch was until I was much older. I also didn’t realize I had perfect pitch until a professor at an audition made me aware of my ability. Since then, it’s become a wonderful tool.

What is your favorite piece of advice from one of your past (or current) teachers?:Being compassionate with a student will allow them to fearlessly open up to their potentials.

What was your most challenging moment learning an instrument?:In the winter months, my body feels tight and cold, and sometimes this causes tension during playing or singing. That’s why to me it’s important to work in a warm environment, do proper daily stretching, and have a healthy lifestyle (good diet, exercise, proper sleep).

What is your biggest musical achievement?:Composing a fugue.

Favorite thing about teaching?:I love sharing my passion for music with other human beings.

What is a piece of advice you would like to share with anyone learning music?:If at first you don’t succeed, try try again. Music is meant to be fun, enjoy it!

Personal music projects: i.e. bands, groups, shows, recording, etc. (if any):I am in the process of composing a work for my sister’s wedding. Additional compositions underway, member of American Composer’s Forum, member of Contemplum (composition club at Temple), participant in the Oticons Film Score Contest.

Annabelle Corrigan’s BioI have always been involved with sounds and music from an early age. My greatest forte is my ability to hear. When I was young, people thought I might become a voice actor, because my skill at replicating voices was quite apparent. Still, I loved to sing and had been regularly involved in choirs. I dabbled in violin in the fifth grade, but I didn’t feel a “click.” Without despairing, I tried my luck with piano and felt instantly in sync. I knew this was the right instrument for me. During my piano studies, I continued to work on my voice. In addition, I studied the workings of a sound board, and was head sound chief at my high school. At the college level, I began to pursue composition, while still continuing with my piano and vocal studies. I hold an associate degree in music, piano performance, and I am currently working towards my degree in music theory and composition. I will be graduating from Temple University this coming May. I have been teaching music since 2006 and have worked with a wide range of ages and various group sizes. My joy is working with people in a field that I’m passionate about. My interests include music (jazz, classical, opera, new age), ballet, composition, yoga, meditation, going to the gym, hiking and camping, scuba-diving, sailing,Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, cooking and baking, film-editing, sound engineering, poetry, reading good books, building websites, and watching documentaries.

Music Classes in Fishtown for 4-6 year olds. Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Art Making, and more.

April Saturdays, Music in Fishtown: 4th, 11th, 18th

This Weekend 10AM Music!

If you’d like to join us this Saturday at 10AM for Baby and Toddler Music, please let me know! $15 to drop in, $10/class when you sign up in advance for all 3. If you miss any dates, credit will roll into the next month. Makeups, Drop-ins, and First-timers all welcome! Email Here for a spot if you haven’t already! First Time FREE! Keep track of Saturdays on our calendar.

Weekday Music Classes

If you were a student in March, and want to continue in April, please let me know! Classes this month are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10AM, and Wednesdays at 11:30AM. These are sign-up oriented classes that occur on a weekly basis, with makeups occurring on Saturdays or other weekday times. Drop-ins, please email to check for space! To SIGN UP for a regular weekday music spot at $10/class, please contact us.

Other News

If you haven’t been, and you’d like to stop by and try our music class in Fishtown for FREE, please let me know. Also, our Big Kids Class is starting this weekend! We’ll be exploring the C scale on piano, tracing our hands, drawing a bit, and learning to count rhythms. Then, on April 19th, there is an event at Fusion Tumbling and Fitness in Fishtown – I’ll be playing some tunes for the kiddos there! The fun-filled Sunday event will be from 10AM – 3PM.

“What To Expect – The First 6 Months of Drum Lessons”

By Tom Cullen

Drum Lessons for Beginners

So you’ve decided to take some drum lessons. You’re probably wondering what to expect – How often will I have to practice? How long until I begin to see results? The answer to those questions is, well . . . another question. What are your musical goals? All goals are met by a series of smaller goals, and you will have to decide how important progress is to you. Drums can be one of the most difficult instruments to master, but they can also be very easy and fun to play. Most drumming in the music we hear is comprised of just a few, very basic ideas. These basics can be learned within a 6 month period.

The First 6 months of Drum Lessons

The first thing you’ll learn is how to play rhythms between the right and left hand clearly. In order to do that, you will learn how to properly hold the drumsticks. How the drumsticks are held will effect a range of things from, speed, sound, comfort and even avoiding minor injuries (that’s right, you can hurt yourself!). To get a good feel for handling the sticks, you will need a consistent practice of 15-120 mins a day. Working on control of the sticks will also give you an introduction to reading music. Learning to read will begin to feed your imagination with a vocabulary of rhythms and stimulate creative ideas. Learning the language of rhythm helps us to understand and decipher the music we enjoy listening to.

After about 6 weeks, you will begin coordinating your feet with your hands. This is usually done by adding the bass drum, which is played by your foot using a pedal device. You’ll be doing 3 things at once. At this point you will also be learning the basic concepts of drumming, common in most of the music we hear.

The first concept is unison. Unison is when two parts of the drumset are played together at the same time. The next idea is “2 over 1” – when one drum plays two notes and the other drum plays one. The final concept is the single stroke. The most common use of the single stroke is during a drum fill, but single strokes happen more often than we notice. They usually occur between a cymbal and snare drum or a cymbal and bass drum during the song’s “groove”.

Most drumming you hear is that simple! The trouble for most students is accepting that learning an instrument is a process (remember, all goals are met by a series of smaller goals?). If you make practice a part of your weekly routine, progress will be natural and easy to see and hear. If you follow your path consistently, and with the help from the right teacher, the first 6 months of drum lessons will allow you to play most of your favorite music.

Of course, after that, there is still much to learn. For example, though basketball is a simple sport consisting of 3 things (dribbling, passing and shooting), the best basketball players have perfected these techniques with strength, style and finesse. Perfection is a process, full of trial and error. Playing drums is a craft. Over time you will “sculpt” your own style and sound to where it becomes a direct extension of your musical ideas. Possessing the basic building blocks of drumming will allow you to pursue your own, original take on the instrument. Don’t forget – you get in what you put in.

“I would like students to understand that the learning process takes time. Practice as slowly as possible, because the slower you practice, the faster you learn.”

-Bernard “Pretty” Purdie (The Guinness Book of World Records Most Recorded Drummer of All Time)

Frank is a fellow former jazz performance mate from Joey’s days at the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Thus, we’ve been rubbing guitar elbows with Frank in the music scene for years! From jazz sets at Book Space, Chris’s, and Caribou Cafe (to name just a few), to sharing a bass player on more than one occasion, we’ve gotten groovy to the guitar licks of Frank plenty of times. In addition to being a master of his craft, Frank’s also an awesome teacher. And he looks like George Harrison.

Frank’s Bio:

I teach Guitar, Bass, Piano and Ukulele. I am an accomplished musician, composer and educator versed in many contemporary styles. I have been studying blues and jazz based music for many years now and have developed an authentic sound that stands prominently among my idols. I play in several Philly based groups as a sideman, and I also lead my own project. In 2010 I graduated from Temple University with a degree in jazz performance, and in 2012 I released my first collection of original music, The Ardvark Felon.

Here’s our interview with Frank:

When did you begin playing [instrument], and why?:

I took my first piano lesson when I was 9, but my mother had shown me a few things before that. I got serious about music when I started paying the guitar. I was 12 years old. I started playing guitar because I wanted to be able to play “Good Riddance (TIme of Your Life)” by Greenday.

What are your personal goals as a musician?:Like with anything else, there are short-term and long-term goals. A short-term goal could be something like learning a new song or copying a solo. A long term goal is something like being able to identify the chord changes of a song without having to struggle over it, or learning how to play jazz. My long term goals with the guitar is to be able to play every “idea” that comes to me while improvising… oh yea, and to have fun!

Do you have a memory of a time when a musical concept or technique really clicked? Something you’ll remember forever?:I was working on being able to hear a continuous stream of 8th notes in my head. I thought it would help my jazz playing. It’s a concept call “Forward Motion”. Hal Galper, jazz pianist and educator coined the term and wrote a book on it. I spent years doing exercises and practicing. It finally clicked one day while I was watching TV. I was just sitting there, not trying, but then I could suddenly hear the notes in my head, and feel where my fingers had to be to play them. It was exciting!

What is your favorite piece of advice from one of your past (or current) teachers?:Be stubborn. It sounds cliche but “sticking with it” is really the key ingredient to success in music, because if I would have quit back then, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

What was your most challenging moment learning an instrument?:Working on time/rhythm. It’s still a challenge, and I’ve improved in that department a lot over the last 5 years.

What is your biggest musical achievement?:I’ve practiced to the point where the guitar is no longer an obstacle in conveying my emotions or “saying what I need to say” through music.

Favorite thing about teaching?:It forces me to be patient and understanding. I enjoy playing the support role and, I like watching students connect the dots. I’ve had a lot of great teachers over the years so I feel it’s important to keep that tradition going.

What is a piece of advice you would like to share with anyone learning music?:If you have a guitar, don’t wait for the first lesson to take it out of its case! Don’t be afraid to mess around with it. There’s nothing that you can do that will jeopardize your ability to improve if you start playing before the first lesson. Teachers like to see that you have take some initiative with your learning.

Personal music projects: i.e. bands, groups, shows, recording, etc. (if any):I play every last Tuesday of the month at Jose Pistolas at 15th and Spruce with my trio. I also play in a blues band called the Downtown Shimmy. I have a calendar of show dates on my website www.frankvelardomusic.com I also have some original tunes and photos posted.

Recent Testimonials

Joey and Alex at Philly Music Lessons are terrific! My boys have been taking piano and drums with Alex for almost a year now and I am amazed at their progress. Alex is a great teacher, he is very patient with my boys, especially my 6 year old. He is a very skilled musician and really knows how to teach children. When I was a kid lessons were grueling but Alex has an upbeat energy that makes every lesson fun and exciting. The studio is warm and inviting and has a great vibe. Music is such an important part of my life, it is so great to see my kids enjoy it as well! I feel so fortunate to have this place in my neighborhood! Check them out, you definitely won't be sorry. Philly Music Lessons totally ROCKS!

Nina M.

In May of 2013, I decided to take up piano playing again after a 10+ year hiatus. The half price trial lesson offered by Philly Music Lessons appealed to me and gave me a chance to decide if the school/instructor was the right fit for me. For my trial lesson, I was paired with Joe, whose easy going attitude put me at ease right away. By the end of the trial lesson, I was already excited about the next lesson. Deciding on a lesson schedule was very painless. Joe was willing to work with me to determine a day and time and frequency of lesson that worked with his open availability and fit into my busy schedule. Joe encouraged me to explore learning to play chord based piano to expand my repertoire to include more contemporary music. Although it has been a challenge to learn a new style of playing, it has been really rewarding and fun. I’m glad I chose to take lessons with Philly Music Lessons and would highly recommend Joe as an instructor.

Jessica L.

I have nothing but praise for Alex. I was somewhat anxious trying to pick up a new hobby playing the drums. My nervousness dissipated quickly with Alex's guidance. He tailors each lesson with handwritten exercises, appealing both to my interests and skill level, and I always leave feeling like my skills have improved.

Pat D.

Vince focuses on both technique and music appreciation. He gives equal weight to my learning how to play the guitar and my learning to love the instrument. He plans our lessons based on my musical interests and, in doing so, consistently finds inventive ways to work on problem areas.

Hannah G.

I started taking lessons here because I wanted to pick up a new hobby and continue learning music even after school. My instructor Phil was super knowledgeable and very patient with me every lesson I had. If you're looking for a great guitar/banjo instructor, definitely ask for Phil! The staff at Philly Music Lessons are very responsive and accommodating when scheduling lessons. They really strive to make this a great place to learn and love your instrument!

Alisa W.

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